Virginia's first lady hosts legislative spouses at the mansion

Here's a sign that the legislative session may really be coming to an end.

Today, on what is supposed to be the day before legislators leave town, their spouses are invited to join First Lady Maureen McDonnell at the Executive Mansion for a reception.

It's a tradition for the first lady to host all 100-plus significant others -- men and women -- at the mansion at the close of the annual legislative session.

The event comes at the conclusion of a program for the spouses held during the session that is led by House Speaker Bill Howell's wife, Cessie.

Most spouses do not live in Richmond during the session, choosing to stay back home with their kids, jobs and homes.

Today, many will come to town for the event at the mansion and stay overnight in the hope that they will leave Richmond tomorrow with their legislator-spouse -- though that remains to be seen since negotiators have yet to strike a compromise on the budget, and Thursday came and went with no deal.